Printing-press.



R. MIEHLE. PRINTING PRESS.

' APPLICATION mum-rm. '1. 1912.

Patented Sept. 22, 1914.

2 BHEETSSHEBT 1.

INVENTOR ROBERT MIEHLEY ATTORNEY R. 'MIEfiLE.

mmune rnsss.. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 7, 1912.

; Patented Sept.

2 snnn'xvsnnn'r 2.

unw

INVENTOR ROBERT MIEHLE.

A TTORNE Y citizen of the United States, residing at Chi- I, nonnnr mm HLE, or CHICAGO, ILL'INoIs, assmnon' r0 CONTINENTAL 8; COMMERCIAL TRUST & SAVINGS BANK, TRUSTEE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

To all whom it may concern: 4

Be it known that I, Ronnn'r MIEHLE, a

cage, in the county of Cook and State'of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Printing-Presses, of

which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to printing presses and to sheet carriers which may be of service in delivering the sheets from the printing press. though the sheet carrier is not be limited to this use.

In accordance with one featureof my in-.

vention I provide mechanism for arbitrarily adjusting either or both the sheet delivery 1 mechanism and the tape upon which the sheets are delivered when these elements overlie the lnking mechanism of the press so as to afford access to such inking mecha- .nism. In the preferredembodiment of this feature of my invention means are desirably employed that enable sheet delivery i'nechanism and the table to be maintained'inthe various positions. to which they may heelevated. I

That portion of my'invention which re lates to sheet carrier structure has far its general object the provision of an improved construction for. receiving the sheets sup plied thereto for transfer and for properly dischargingthe'same when they have been brought to their destination. In practising this feature of my invention employ a belt element and means traveling in a substantially' uniform direction and preferably in an elongated closed path which operate to perform several functions, to the performance of all of which functions in all embodiments of the invention I do not wish to be limited.

The sheet carrier of my invention has many novel features which may be broadly and specifically considered; Specifically considered, the sheet carrier of my invention may be described as one which includes an elastic endlessbelt element, two big-ht forming elements over which said belt element moves; means for causing each of said bight forming elements to travel bodily in an' elongated closed path and both substan-- tially in a uniform direction, means interposed between the sides of the belt element A ppllcationflled February 7, 1am. Serial No. $76,096.

and engagingthat side of the beltelement having the stretch that serves to carry the sheets and with respect to which said stretch travels, to form a third bight in the belt element, and means for holding the remaining side of the belt element to form a fourth hight therein. It should be stated that the scope of the invention is outlined in the claims, and I do not desire to limit myself to the specific embodiment of .the invention above de-.

- scribed. I I will explain my invention more fully by reference to the accompanying drawings showing ortions of so much of the preferred em odiment thereof as is necessary to an understanding of the invention.-

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side view of 'a portion of a two revolution cylinder press and sheet delivery mechanism 'associated' therewith; Fig. 2 shows a portion of the sheet delivery. mechanism illustrated in Specification of Letters Patent. l Pate ntedls t 22 1914 Fig. 1 with its parts in different positions I I from those shown in Fig. 1; Fig, 3 IS a view on a scale larger than Figs. 1 and" 2 of aportion of the sheet delivery mechanism, the parts shown in Fig. 3 occupying different positions from the corresponding parts of Figs. 1 and 2: Fig. 4 is a plan view of a portion of the structure as it appears in Fig.1; Fig.

6 is a plan ,.view of a portion of themecha- 'I11Sfi1, partially in section, and Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a part of the mechanism,

a portion of which part being shown in Fig. 3.

ike parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the, differentfigures. v 1 7 The printing press from which the sheets are delivered is generally indicated by the reference character 1,and inasmuch as the,

apparatus of my invention is not to be limited .to any particular type of press, it is not essential to give a detail description of the press shown as the same is well known by those skilled in the art. The sheets are initially delivered from the press upon carrying tapes 2. The tapes 2 and the -mechanism for operating the sameare so well known as not to requiredescription. The sheets are transferred from the tapes 2:14) the sheet carrier of myinvention over a, guide finger structure 3.

As my invention is specifically embodied,

in the structure. shown by' the" drawings there is present a sprocket chain l driven by the gearing 5 of the press and in turn drivmg a sprocket pinionfi upon whose shaft is fixedly mounted a spur pinion 7, the pinion 7 being in mesh with a spur gear 8 upon whose shaft sprocket wheels 9, one upon each side of the sheet carrier, are-mounted. An endless sprocket chain ,10is disposed upon each side of the sheet carrier structure, these chains being driven by the sprocket wheels andin turn passing over idler sproeket wheels 11, the wheels 9 and 11 generallydefinin the orbits in which the chains 10 substantia. y move.

The chains 10 constitute endless belts and carry bight or loop engagin and forming elements 12 which are desira 1y, though not necessarily, in the form of rollers rotatably mounted upon and with respect to the chains 10 at points thereon which divide the chains into two equal parts. Additional bight "formin elements are em loyed' which are prcfera 1y in'the form 0 loose pulleys 13 co-axial with sprocket wheels 9. I employ a conveyor belt element for finally delivering the sheets which element is preferably in the form of endless tapes 14 that are engaged by the rollers 12 and the pulleys or rollers 13. The organization of my invention also. includes .conveyer belt holding or gripping devices 15 and 16 (each tape of the belt structure being associated with two such elements 15and 16) which are preferably mounted upon a yoke 17 free to rotate, due to the action of the tapes thereupon, about the axis of the sprocket wheels 9 and pulleys 13. Each of the elements '15 and 16 is desirably provided with insetmy invention commences with the parts inthe positions shown in Fig. 1, where the pulleys 13 are located between the sides of the belt element and between the rollers 12 and in substantially the same plane therewith so that the tapes 14 have only two bights formed therein by the oppositely located bight forming elements or rollers 12, the pulleys 13 merely serving, in the construction shown, slightly to spread the up-- per and lower sides of the tapes apart. The left hand roller 12 will rise and the rlght .hand roller 12 will descend as the chains 10 move them from the positions shown in sequent formation of a fourth bight in the lower sides of the tapes owing to the pulley '13. Fig. 3 'indlcates the readjustment of the parts whereby the two additional bights are formed in each of the tapes 1 1, the presence of the two additional bights that are formed by the elements 15 and 13 continuing until the positions of the rollers 12, as shown in Fig. 1, are interchanged, Fig. 2 illustrating the positions of the parts when such interchange is nearly accomplished. \Vhen such interchange is finally accomplished, each of the tapes 14 is relieved of the two additional bights that were previously formed therein by the elements 15 and 13 and has but two bights which are formed by the rollers 12 that are again located in the same plane with the pulleys 13. Thus the first half of the cycle of operations is accomplished. The second half of such cycle is accomplished similarly to the first excepting that the bight forming elements 16 operate upon the tapes. instead of the elements 15.

The rollers 12, when uppermost, turn upon tracks 18, one upon each side of the structure, these tracks being desirably constituted of the upper stretches of fixed endless belts that are anchored to the framework at 19. Therollers .12 carry the rollers 20 which are loose with respect to the rollers 12 and which rollers 20 freely turn upon the tracks 21 provided upon opposite sides of the structure. The receiving tables 22 upon which the sheets are to be deposited is located beneath the sprocket wheels 9 and 11, the manner in which the sheets are deposited upon this table being hereinafter set forth. v I i I A sheet as it comes from the press 1s indicated at 23 in Fig. 3. It is directed upon the sheet carrying stretch of the belt element when the parts are in the positions shown in Fig. 3 and is moved from the press upon the belt element at a faster lineal speed than the lineal speed of the stretch of the belt element that receives it. The chains 10 are geared so as to cause the lineal travel of. the sheet supporting stretch of the belt element at a suitable speed with respect to the rate of travel of the sheet being discharged from the press. The rollers 12, in turning upon the tracks 18, are brought to the right hand limit of their travel at a time when the lineal travel of the sheet supporting stretch ofthexbelt element has caused the forward end f.the received sheet 23 to approximate .tin positi'on tlfeposit'ion of such roller 12 at- --the righthand end of its travel. When the roller 12 'hasbeen placed below the axis of the sprocket wheel 11 and in vertical alinement therewith, the movement of the stretch;

ofthe beltelement. that supports the trans- :ferred sheet is commenced from beneath such sheet, this removal of such stretch of the belt elementlbeing accomplished, in

the embodiment of the invention specifically shown, by reducing its'lengthand decreasingits sheet supporting area as such roller 312 continues its movement in its uniform direction in its closed path. In this way the support for the sheet is gradually removed while suchsupport is in non-sliding relation with the sheet it carries and the sheet is de osited, compar'atively slowly, upon the-ta le 22, the sheetbeing initially deposited at one endupon the table and gradually descending upon the table as the support is removed from beneath the same whereby no pockets of air have opportunity to form beneath the sheet as it is being degivin positedi It will be observed that the rate -at which the .sheet supporting stretch of the belt element is removed from beneath the sheetthat is being deposited is substantially one-half the rate of travel of such stretch when it receives the sheet from' the press roun ing the endsof their travel exert tension upon the beltielement and I therefore preferably make the: belt element elastic by inserting spring coil elastic elements 25 at intervals throughout the lengths of the tapes as indicated most clearly in Figs. 3 and 4 These elastic elements 25 also serve to take up slack that might otherwise arise in the belt element andwhileI refer to employ the spring 25 for performing the functions just describedthereto, I do not wish to be limited to the means whereby the belt element is made contractible and expansible nor to the emplo ment of the elements 25 for the purpose 0 removing the slack.

When the sheet supporting stretch of the belt element is moving forwardly the guide finger structure 3 could passively ride over the rollers 12 but where the motion of the press is reversed the rollers 12 would have injurious engagement witlrthe fin er structure3 except for the provision o the cam operated lever mechanism 26 which serves movement to the belt element, .in-

to raise the finger structure 3 when the rollers 12 have about reached the same.

It will be seen that I have provided a sheet supporting element, preferably in the form of an endless belt, whose sheet support- .ing surface moves in the upper stretch of a closed path in order'to receive the sheet to be supportedand in the lower stretch of such ath in order to discharge the sheet. That 18, the sheet supporting surface moves in one level when the sheet to be supported is deposited thereupon andmoves in another levelwhen' the deposited sheet is to be discharged.

I provide means whereby the sheet delivery mechanism, whether made in accordance with m invention vor not, *may, together with tlie table 22, be raised and lowered with respect to the inkin generally designated by the re er'ence charactor 27 and which "is located beneath the skilled in the art. To this end the sheet mechanism table 22 as is well understood by those delivery mechanism of my invention 15 mounted to be swung at its left hand end about the axis of the sprocket wheel 9 and the table is swingingly mounted at 28. The frame of the sheet delivery mechanism and the table are united; by a strut 29, the table 22 having bolt and slot connection 30 with said strut whereby the relative positions of the table and sheet delivery mechanism may be adjusted and maintained as both of these elements are moved. The strut 29 is continued downwardly and is' connected with the free end of one arm of a bell crank lever 31, the free end of the other arm of said bell crank lever being provided with a crank handle 32. When itisdesired to raise the sheet deliver mechanism and the table'22 as far as possible, the crank 32 is moved in a counter clockwise direction through an arc of about 180 whereby the strut 29, the table 22 linked thereto at 30, and the sheet delivery mechanism' also linked thereto, are raised to their upper limits of movement. The

bolt 30 carries a shoe 30 upon which the table 22 slides as the strut 29 moves The shaft 33 of'the bellcrank is fixed to the bell crank and fixedly carries a segment 34 toone end of which is secured afchain 35 that is curled about the segment The other that serves to hold the delivery mechanism and thetable' n an elevated position though the counterweight 36 need not take part in holding the table and delivery mechanism in While I haveherein shown and particu-- 130 end of the chain carries a counterweight 36 larly described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to 4 the precise details of construction as changes may readily be madeewithout departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent the following 1. A printing press including inking mechanism; mechanism for delivering the sheets from the press and overlying the ink ing mechanism; a table for receiving the printed sheets and intervening between the delivery mechanism and the inking mecha -n1sm.; and unltary mechanism, operable at will, for raising the table and the delivery mechanism together, while the delivery mechanism overlies the table, to afford access to the inking mechanism.

- 2. A sheet carrier includingan endless belt element; two bight forming elements over which said belt elements move; means for causing each of saidbight forming elements to travel bodily in a closed path and both substantially in a uniform direction; means bight therein.

35A, sheet carrier including an endless belt element; two bight forming elements overwhich said belt element moves; means for causing each of said bight forming element's'to travelbodily in an elongated closed path and both substantially in a uniform direction; means interposed between the sides of thebelt element and engaging that side of the belt element having the stretch that serves to carry the sheets and with respect to which said stretch travels, to form a third bight in the belt element; and means for holding the remaining side of the belt cleinent to form a fourth bight therein.

i. A sheet carrier including an elastic endless belt element; two bight forming elements over which said belt element moves; means for causing each of said bight forming elements to travel bodily in an elongated closed path and both substantially in a uniform direction; means interposed be tween the sides of the belt element and engaging that side of the belt element having the stretch that serves to, carry the sheets and with respect to which said stretch travels, to form. a third bight in the belt element; and means for holding the remaining side of the belt element to form a fourth bight therein.

5. A sheet carrier including an elastic endless belt element; two bight forming elements over which said belt element moves;

' means for causing each of said bight formendless belt element; two bight forming elements over which said belt element moves; means for causing each of said bight forming elements .to travel bodily in an elongated closed path and both substantially in a uniform direction; means interposed between the sides of the belt element and engaging that side of the belt lement having the stretch that serves to ca ry the sheets and with respect to which said stretch travels, to form a third bight in the belt element; and means for holdm the remaining side of the belt element to orm a fourth bight therein there being present means for maintaining the belt element substantially taut.

7. A sheet carrier including an endless belt element; two bight forming elements over which said belt element moves; means for causing each of said bight forming elements to travel bodily in an elongated closed path substantially'in a uniform direction; means interposed between the sides of the belt element and engaging that side of the belt element having the stretch that serves to carry the .heets and with respect to which said stretdh travels, to form a third bight inthe belt element; and a revolving element spanning the means for forming the third bight in the beit element and successively brought into'and out of action by the first aforesaid two bight forming elements and operating to hold the remaining side of the belt element to form a fourth bight therein.

8. A sheet carrier includin an endless belt element; two bight forming elements over which said belt element moves; means for causing each of said bight forming elements to travel bodily in an elongated closed path substantially in a uniform direction; means interposed between the sides of the belt element and engaging that side of the belt element having the stretch that serves to carry the sheets and with respect to which sai stretch travels, to form a third bight in the belt element; and an element successively brought into and out of action by the first aforesaid two bight forming elements and operating to hold the remaining side of the belt ellzment to form a fourth bight therein.

9. A sheet transferring mechanism inwhich serves to support the sheets in travel;

means traveling in a substantially uniform jdirectionin an. elongated closed path for.

eluding a belt element having a stretch reducing' the area of the sheet supporting stretch of thei -belt element to discharge the transferred sheet, said means includm a roller; and means for turning the to her about itsaxis when moving I'rom one side of itsrclosed path to the other.

.10.'A sheet transferring mechanism in-' eluding a belt element having a stretch which servesto support the sheets in travel; means traveling in a substantially uniform direction 111 .an elongated closed path for removing the supporting stretch of the belt' element from supporting -en, .;agement with the transferredsheeu said means including a roller; and means for turning the roller about its axis when moving from one side of its-closed path to the other.

11. A sheet transferring mechanism including a belt element for supportingthe sheets a .windin means for giving movement to the said elt element and including belt element engaging portions I that are caused to travel in an. endless path, which path has substantially straight portions and deflecting turns for said belt element engaging portions to pass around; and means for holding said element at one point in ,a

substantially stationary position, the said winding means havingfa movement around the belt element holding means I 12. A sheet carrier ncluding aysheet supporting belt element; and means for causing the sheet supporting surface of the belt element to move in the upper stretch of a closed path there to-receive the sheet to be supported and to move to the lower stretch of such .path while carrying the sheetithere to discharge'the supported sheet... p

13. A sheet carrier including a sheetsup porting belt element; means for caus'ingthe sheet supporting surface of the belt element to move in the upper stretch of a closed path and to move to the lower "stretch of such path while carrying the sheet and means for causing the sheet supporting surface of the belt element to increase while moving in the upper stretch of the closed path to receive and support the sheet to be carried and to be decreased while moving in the lower stretch of such closed path to disehargethe sheet;

14. A sheet carrier including a sheet i porting b'eltelement; means for causing the sheet supporting surface of the belt element to move in'theupper stretch of a closed path and to move to the lower stretchof suchpath while carrying the sheet means for moving the sheets to be carried upon the 'belt elemost when moving inthe upper stretch of the closed path and in the same direction with thesheet receiving portion of the belt element 5 and meansfor causing the sheet supporting surface of the belt element to increase while moving inthe upper stretch of the closed path to receive and support the'sheet to'be'carried and to be decreased while moving in the lower stretch of such closed path to discharge the sheet.

. 15. A sheet carrier including a sheet supporting belt element; means for causing the sheet supporting surface of the belt element t the sheet-.todischarge the sheet.

16. A sheet carrier includinga sheet sn portingbeltelement; means for causing t e Sheet supporting surface of the belt element to move in the upper stretch of a closed path and to move to the lower stretch of such path while carrying the sheet; means I for moving the sheets to be carried upon the belt element when moving in the upper stretch ofthe closed path and in the same directionwith the-sheet receiving portion" of the belt element; and meansfor'causing the sheet supporting-surface of the belt element to increase while moving in the upper stretch of the closed path'toreoeive and support the sheet to be carried and to be de creased while movin in the lower stretch of such closed path whi e in substantially non.-

sliding relation with the sheet to discharge the sheet.

' 17. A sheet 'carrier inoluding a sheet supporting endless belt element; and means for causing the sheet supporting surface of the endless belt element to movein the upper stretch of a' closedpath thereto receive the sheet to be supported and to move to-the lower stretch of such path-while carrying the sheet there to discharge the supported sheet. I 18. A sheet carrier includinga sheet sup porting endless belt element; means for causing the sheet-supporting surface of the belt element to move in the upper stretch of a closed pathgand to move to the lower stretch of such path while carrying the sheet; and means for causingthe sheet supporting surface of thebelt element to increase while moving in the upper stretch of i the closed path toreceiveand support-the sheet to be carried and to be. decreased. while moviiig i'n the vlower stretch? of: suchclosed path to discharge .the sheet.

19: A sheet carrier including a sheetsupporting endlessbelt elerggqts causing the h" EFF-c aters. 'r ceor the 1 for the belt element to increase while moving in the upper stretch of the closed path to receive and support the sheet to be carried" and to be decreased while moving in the lower stretch of such closed path to discharge the sheet.

20...A sheet carrier including a sheet supporting endless belt element; means for causing the sheet supportingsurface of the -;belt element to move in the upper stretch of a closedpath and to move to'the lower stretch of such path while carrying the sheet; and means for causing the sheet sup- I porting surface of the belt element to increase while moving in the upper stretch of the closed path to receive and support the sheet to be carried and to be decreased while moving in the lower stretch of'such closed path while in substantially non-sliding relation with the sheet to discharge the sheet.

causing the sheet supporting surface of the belt element to move in the upper stretch of a closed path and to move to the lower stretch of such path while carrying the sheet; means for moving the sheets to be "carried upon the belt element when moving in the upper stretch of the closed path and in the same directionwith the sheet receiving portion of the element; and means for causing the sheet supporting surface of the belt element to increase while moving in the upper stretch of the closed path to receive and support the sheet to be carried and to be decreased while moving in the lowerstretch of such closedpath while in substantially non-sliding relation with the sheet to discharge the sheet.

22. A printing press; mechanism for de livering the sheets from the press; a table for receiving'the printed sheets; and unitary mechanism operable atwill, for raising the table and the delivery mechanism together, while the delivery mechanism" overlies the table. I

23. A printing press including inking mechanism; mechanism for delivering the sheets from the press and overlying the inking mechanism; a table for receiving the printed sheets and interposed between the inking mechanism and the sheet delivery mechanism; means .for permitting adjustment'of the relatiye positions of the table and sheet delivery mechanism, while the delivery mechanism overlies the table; and

24. A sheet carrier including a sheet supporting belt element; and means for causing "the sheet supporting surface of the sheet supporting belt element to move in one level there to receive the sheet to be supported and in a lower level, the sheet supporting surface in being moved from one level to the other serving to transfer the sheet it car-- ries to such lower level there to discharge ithe supported sheet.

25. A sheet carrier including asheet suptporting element; means for causing the sheet supporting surface of the sheet supporting element to move in one level there to receive the sheet to be supported and .in a lower level, the sheet supporting surface in being moved from one level to'the other serving to transfer the sheet it carries to such lower level there to discharge the supported sheet; and means for causing the.

;moving in the lower level to discharge the sheet."

21. A sheet carrier including a sheet supporting endless belt element; means for QGFA sheet carrier including a sheet sup porting belt element; means for causing the sheetg supporting surface -of the sheet suppprtiiig belt element to move in one level there to receive the sheet to be supported and in a lower level, the sheet supporting surface in being moved from one level to the other serving to transfer the sheet it carries to such lower level there to discharge the supported sheet; and means for causing the sheet supporting surface of the sheet supporting belt element to increase while moving in the upper level to receive and.

support the sheet to be carried and to be decreased while moving in the lower level to discharge the sheet.

27. A sheet carrier including a sheet supporting element; means for causing the sheet supporting surface of the sheet supporting element to move in one level there to receive the sheet to be supported and in a lower level, the sheet supporting surface in being moved from one level to the other serving to transfer the sheet it carries to such lower level there to discharge the supported sheet; and means for causing the sheet supporting surface of the sheet supporting ele ent to increase while moving in the upper evel to with the sheet to disc 1 porting belt element to move in' one level tlrere to receive the sheet to be supported and in' a lower level, the sheet supporting .surface -in being moved from one level to the other serving to transfer the sheet it carries. to such lower level thereto disfcharge the supported sheet; andmeans for causing the sheet supporting surface of the sheet supporting belt element to increase while -moving 1n the upper level to receive.

and support .the sheet to be carried and to decreased while moving in the lower level while in substantially large the sheet;

29. -A'sheet carrier including a sheet supporting element; and means fox'ycausihg the 4 sheet supporting surface of said element to travel in an n er level durin its. recei t of the sheet to be carried and for causing said surface while supporting such sheet to descend to a lower level thereto discharge the carried sheet.

30. In a sheet transferrin mechanism, the COlllblIlfltlOIl' of an endless s eet carrier; and means toalternately extend such carrier its non-sliding relation I whole length and doubleor loop the carrier i I upon itself thereby providing a sheet supporting surface that receives asheet when said surtace 1s uppermost and then convey said sheet to a lower level there to dis! charge the sheetuvhereby the sheet support-" mg-surtace is increased when uppermost and j is decreased when lowermost to receive and discharge thesheet- 31. In a sheet transferring mechanism, the combination of an endless belt; and means most, a sheet receiving lowermost, a sheet discharging stretch and whereby this sheet supporting 'ortion opcrates to carry the sheet-to its. c ischarging position.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this fifth day of February A.

. \Vitnesses: E. L'. \VH'ITE, G. L. Cnaco.

ROBERT MIEHLEL 

